Almost 300 people have objected to plans for a wind turbine in Lepton green belt.

But Kirklees planning officers have recommended councillors permit the application.

It would see a 50Kw wind turbine built on a 24.8m mast, or 35 metres to blade tip.

The move follows a decision by the applicant to reduce the height of the turbine for the appropriately named Windy Gap Farm property off Green Balk Lane, Little Lepton.

The council’s planning department says that “whilst this proposal is considered to be inappropriate development in the green belt, its contribution to national, regional and local renewable energy targets, combined with serving Windy Gap Farm, demonstrates very special circumstances which outweigh the harm caused to the openness of the Green Belt.”

Councillors will decide if the wind turbine gets the go-ahead after a large volume of comments were submitted against the proposal.

Clr Linda Wilkinson, Almondbury ward member, which covers the turbine site, has asked it be determined by the planning committee.

She said: “The reason being the concerns of residents who have contacted me with regard to the size of the wind turbine on that site which I understand is in the Green Belt, and due to the detrimental effect on visual and residential amenities.”

Objectors of Village Against Turbines (VAT) say it’s an inappropriate development in the green belt and it may set a precedent.

Kirkburton Parish Council has also objected to the application.

In total 11 comments have been received in support of the application.

Initially the application proposed to erect a turbine with a hub height of 36.6 metres however this was amended to the current 24.8 metres after landscape impact concerns were raised by Kirklees planning officers.

The turbine would provide energy to the existing house with the rest of the energy fed back into the National Grid.

Within a two mile radius of the site there have been five wind turbines approved, all lower than the Lepton application proposes.

The application will be decided on Thursday at 1pm at Huddersfield Town Hall.

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